2. How to Create the Purple Background

Step 1

Step 2

Now Copy (Control-C) and Paste (Control-V) the gradient onto a New Layer for your wallpaper document.

The image is pretty big, so we’ll need to rotate it to show off my favorite area, the orange color.

Use the Free Transform Tool (Control-T) to rotate it counter-clockwise. Adjust the size if needed.

Step 3

The official Spirit Day color is similar to this purple #6f009a color.

Create a New Layer. Use the Paint Bucket Tool (G) to Fill the layer with purple. Then set the Layer Blend Mode to Hard Light and lower the Opacity to 26%.

Step 4

Great! Now Duplicate(Control-J) the gradient layer. Drag the layer above the Hard Light one within the Layers panel.

Let’s create a new background using these two gradient layers. Use the Free Transform Tool (Control-T) to help reposition this layer towards the bottom of the blue area.

Step 5

Add a Layer Mask to the gradient copy.

Select the Brush Tool (B), use a Soft Round Brush with 0% Hardness and 90-100% Opacity to paint black onto the white Layer Mask. Paint away the harsh edge from the picture and keep adjusting it until you’re happy.

3. How to Add More Texture and Color

Step 1

With the background gradients all set, we can move on to texture and color.

Step 2

This brush is meant to resemble tiny, far-away star dots, so we can use it to paint lots of glittery texture.

Create a New Layer. Set the Foreground Color to white and paint dots all around the gradient background for texture. Vary the Brush Size to your preferences.

When you’re finished, use the Eraser Tool (E) to softly erase away some stars. Start with a medium to low Opacity and increase it when needed.

Step 3

Create a New Layer.

Use the Paint Bucket Tool (G) to Fill it with the same purple #5a009a color from before. Set the Layer Blend Mode to Overlay and lower the Opacity to 43%.

Overlay will make the colors more rich.

Step 4

Let’s continue tweaking the colors until we’re happy with the result.

Design is all aboutpatience and experimentation!

Create a New Adjustment Layer of Color Balance. Adjust the settings for the Midtones, Shadows and Highlights to the following:

Then create another New Layer and Fill it with a rich purple #6f009a. Set the Blend Mode to Hue and the Opacity to 43%.

Here’s the result. Now it’s more in line with Spirit Day colors!

Here’s a before and after comparison after applying Color Balance and a new color fill.

4. How to Make a Geometric Composition

Step 1

Use the Ellipse Tool (U) to create a large purple #690092 circle. Place it in the center of the composition.

Set the purple circle layer to Darken.

Create a quick Layer Mask to erase some of the lower left area of the circle. Feather it out by using a Soft Round Brush. This will help blend it into the background.

Step 2

For more depth, let’s establish the foreground, middle and background sections of this composition with more geometric objects.

Use the Custom Shape Tool (U) to add a triangle shape to the bottom left side.

Right-click the shape layer and go to Blending Options.Add a pink Gradient Overlay with the following options:

Gradient Colors: #8c3148to #ff5984

Then add another purple triangle #6102e4 to the top right side. Here’s the result:

Step 3

For a little more sultry atmosphere, we’re going to adjust the lighting of this scene.

Fill a New Layer with red #720f0e. Add a Layer Mask and paint black with a Soft Round Brush to hide certain parts of the red layer away. Then lower the Opacity to 33% and set itto Multiply.

Take your time with Layer Masks and slowly hide the color away. Try to find balance.

Step 4

Let’s add the “sun” object for this piece. It wasn’t originally intentional, but it’ll later help to draw in the viewer.

Use the Ellipse Tool (U) to create a purple #570f9c circle. Position it towards the right side of the other.

Then Right-click to go to Blending Options. Add a Gradient Overlay with the following settings:

Gradient Colors:#aa9780 and #e4cbac

We’ll leave the final circle shape which holds the date for Spirit Day for the last steps.

For now, Duplicate the left lower triangle. Set the color to this purple #7000cc. Make it bigger before setting it to Screen. Enjoy the subtle effect!

5. How to Finish the iPhone Wallpaper

Step 1

For the last steps of this iPhone wallpaper design, we’ll need to adjust the contrast and add a date!

Let’s start with a New Adjustment Layer of Color Lookup.

Set the 3DLUT File to filmstock_50.3dl.

Step 2

Create the last ellipse. Set the color to magenta #751772.

Add a Gradient Overlay to the ellipse. Use a colorful Yellow, Pink, and Purple preset you can find by accessing the Pastel gradients within the Gradient Editor.

Next, add an Outer Glow with the following settings:

Here’s the result—it’s subtle, but well worth the effort.

Step 3

Add some light for some wicked effects! Use a Soft Round Brush to paint white onto a New Layer set to Overlay.

Step 4

For a little movement, let’s create a 3D trianglular shape that floats into the scene.

First, use the Custom Shape Tool (U) to create the purple #5a1390 triangle. Adjust the perspective with the Free Transform Tool (Control-T).

As with our previous steps, add a gradient. Use the same Pastel Gradient from before, but lower the Opacity to 30%.

To make this triangle 3D, first duplicate it. Delete the gradient overlay and use this triangle to set the lower base of the 3D effect. Next, use the Pen Tool (P) to connect the two triangles together by filling in the gaps with purple shapes.

Step 5

Now for the text.

Create the text for the date and hashtag with two new text layers. I’ll be using this Reef Font and Arial Rounded MT Bold. Set the date to white and #spiritday to pink #ff28ff.

Right-click to go to Blending Options.

Follow these settings to create a Drop Shadow, Gradient Overlay, and Bevel and Emboss effect.

Here’s the result:

Step 6

Set the magenta circle to Soft Light.

Use one of geometric shapes from this vector shape bundle for more detail on the circle. Copy and Paste the shape onto a New Layer, and then use the Eraser Tool (E) to erase the areas where the lines are intersecting.

It may help to hide the text for this step.

Step 7

Balance out the composition by using a Soft Round Brush to add more light and color to the scene. Use your natural intuition to help blend areas together.

Finally, brighten it with a New Brightness and Contrast Adjustment layer.